Located on the northern end of Longboat Key, Longbeach Village attracts mainly seasonal and permanent residents who have fallen in love with the community’s low-key, tropical atmosphere. If you're just passing through, though, Longbeach Village – a.k.a. “The Village” – is a relaxing side trip during your vacation in the area.
The “main drag” is Broadway Street. Don't feel disillusioned if you're looking for major attractions, highrises and sweeping resorts. Instead, you'll more likely to see peacocks. Their origins mostly rumored but not quite confirmed, The Village peacocks strut the streets like they own the place. In the past, they nearly did. An ordinance was passed to limit their population and impose a no-feeding rule, which has helped keep the colorful bird in good graces with the locals.
The biggest attraction here is the beach. Whitney Beach is one of those little-known stretches of sand that is often sparsely populated, even on the most beautiful of days. Sea oats grace the edge of the sand, and the quiet waters of the Gulf lap at the shore. There are no amenities here, and the parking is limited (and luckily, free). But if you want seclusion and escape, this is where you'll get it.
At Whitney Plaza, a little south of the beach on Gulf of Mexico Drive, is the Longboat Key Historical Museum. This small museum houses paintings, postcards, charts and other artifacts of interest to die-hard island lovers. There are speaker events throughout the year, particularly in high season (November - April); check the calendar of events online.
Head east on Broadway and turn south onto Longboat Drive for the Longboat Key Center for the Arts. This cultural establishment offers lectures, concerts, exhibition openings and hands-on art classes. Check the website for a lively calendar of events throughout the year.
There are a couple of must-try dining options on the bay side of The Village. Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant has the freshest stone crab claws around. Caught daily and served during the winter season (Oct. 15 – May 15), the stone crab claws are the restaurant's signature dish.
With tables just a few feet from Sarasota Bay, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub is a local hotspot for food, drinks and relaxation. Built in 1912, the restaurant is considered one of the 12 oldest surviving structures on the island. There are 14 boat slips, and passersby on water often stop in for food. The walls are adorned with local historical photos and hundreds of dollar bills from restaurant diners. Add your own dollar bill to the wall, and see if you can find it on your next visit.
